GOAL-LINE

TECHNOLOGY
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION
IN COMPETITIONS
 Table of contents 1

Table of contents

Foreword 3

Executive summary 4

1. Goal-line technology 6
1.1 Origins 6
1.2 Challenges for the referee 7
1.3 Developments since 2012 8
1.4 Laws of the Game 8
1.5 FIFA Quality Programme 11

2. Implementation of goal-line technology 14

2.1 Pre-planning 14
2.2 Bidding procedure 15
2.3 Concluding a contract 17
2.4 Installation period 18
2.5 Final installation test and acceptance of the installation 20
2.6 Training of referees 23
2.7 Competitions 24
2.8 Replays of GLT incidents 27
2.9 Use of GLT in competitions 2012-2014 28

3. Questions and answers 30

3.1 Use of GLT in leagues and competitions 30
3.2 Refereeing 30
3.3 Licensing and certification 31
3.4 Replays on TV and on LED screens in the stadium 32
 Foreword 3

As guardians of the game, FIFA serves and supports the world of football.
Our mission is to protect its spirit and values, upholding them in the best
way we can. We must embrace change and adapt to the needs and
challenges of the modern game.

Technological aids can help us to meet these challenges, rendering

“The success of GLT football more transparent and credible, improving the footballing
experience for players, match officials and fans, and making the game
in Brazil is something fairer for all.

we are proud of and I Goal-line technology (GLT) is one such aid, the use of which was

strongly believe that approved by The International Football Association Board (The IFAB) in
July 2012 following positive results from an extensive testing of several
every national league different technologies. Since its introduction, GLT has been successfully
implemented at four FIFA events: the FIFA Club World Cups 2012 and
and tournament could 2013, the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 and most recently on the

benefit from the biggest stage of all, the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.

technology.” A camera-based system was a success in all 64 matches. Besides being

decisive in the awarding of a goal during the match between France and
Honduras, it assisted the match officials in making close calls on several
further occasions.

The success of GLT in Brazil is something we are proud of and I strongly

believe that every national league and tournament could benefit from the
technology. Rest assured, this is just a building block and we will always
be looking to improve what we do and how we do it so that football
continues to have the strongest of foundations.

For the Game. For the World.

Jérôme Valcke
Secretary General
4 Executive summary
Executive summary
This document serves both as a support for the
implementation of goal-line technology (GLT) in football
competitions and as a comprehensive guide to its
development in recent years. It is therefore aimed mainly
at competition organisers along with any other party
affected by the implementation of goal-line technology.
The recommendations are based on the test phases from
2010 to 2012, FIFA’s GLT Testing Manual 2014 and previous
editions and practical experience gained from the use of
goal-line technology at the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, the FIFA
Confederations Cup 2013 as well as the FIFA Club World
Cups 2012 and 2013. Additional experience from other
competition organisers has been included where available.
The implementation of goal-line technology in football
is based on a four-step procedure for the licensing and
certification of GLT systems and installations. In addition, the
final check of the installed GLT system by the referee before
each match completes the quality assurance programme for
goal-line technology.
This process reflects the structure of this guide, the main
focus of which is on steps three and four of the
above-mentioned licensing and certification process, in
which the competition organiser is directly involved. The
experience gained from previous FIFA tournaments is also
LICENSING PROCEDURE CERTIFICATION PROCESS
APPLICATION POSITIVE FIFA INSTALLATION
GLT SYSTEM LICENCE
TEST AGREEMENT
APPLICANT FIFA LICENSEE
Figure 1: licensing procedure and certification process
included, so that readers will obtain a detailed overview of
the various challenges involved in fulfilling the requirements
of a certified installed GLT system. The three main chapters
of this document are therefore structured as follows:
The first chapter provides an overview of the development
process of goal-line technology in recent years, The IFAB’s
decision on 5 July 2012 and its subsequent integration into
the Laws of the Game and an explanation of the FIFA Quality
Programme for Goal-Line Technology (including steps one
and two of the licensing and certification process), together
with the obligatory referee check before each official match.
The second focuses on steps three and four of the licensing
and certification process based on experience from FIFA
events during the 2012-2014 period. Each section in this
chapter contains general information, experience from FIFA
tournaments and a checklist. The latter serves as a guide
to obtaining a certified installed GLT system and should
therefore be completed by the competition organiser.
The final chapter provides answers to the most frequently
asked questions on goal-line technology and its
implementation process. If you have any further questions or
individual requirements, please contact FIFA
(quality@fifa.org).
POSITIVE FINAL ACCEPTANCE REGISTRATION
INSTALLATION OF THE ON FIFA.COM/
TEST INSTALLATION QUALITY
FIFA
 Executive summary 5

The following four icons will guide you through the
document and should simplify understanding of the
licensing and particularly the certification procedure of
goal-line technology systems.
GLT system test
FIFA licence agreement
installation and testing
registration on www.fifa.com/quality
While every effort has been made to
ensure the accuracy of the information and
recommendations contained in this document,
any party that makes use of any part of this
document for the implementation of goal-line
technology (“User”) does so at its own risk
and FIFA shall have no liability with regard to
such use. Any use of this document constitutes
acceptance of the terms and conditions of this
disclaimer by such User. FIFA may update this
document at any time as it deems fit.

“The IFAB’s decision did not oblige anybody to use goal-line

technology. Instead, organisers of leagues and competitions
around the world will be able to choose themselves whether or
not they wish to install the system.”
(FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke, IFAB press conference, 5 July 2012)
6 1. Goal-line technology

1. Goal-line technology

1.1 Origins
At its Annual Business Meeting on 20 October 2010, The
IFAB discussed the implications of measurement systems that
are capable of automatically detecting the scoring of a goal
during a football match (so-called goal-line technology or
GLT). Consequently, the IFAB laid down a set of four basic
requirements a GLT system has to fulfil:

• The goal-line technology applies solely to the goal line and Test at the Home of FIFA in Zurich (2010)
only to determine whether a goal has been scored or not;
• The GLT system must be accurate;
• The indication of whether a goal has been scored must
be immediate and automatically confirmed within one
second; and
• The indication of whether a goal has been scored will be
communicated only to the match officials (via the referee’s
watch, by vibration and visual signal).

After extensive tests carried out in several phases by

independent test institute EMPA (the Swiss Federal
Laboratories for Materials Sciences and Technology) at the
request of FIFA in 2011 and 2012, The IFAB decided to allow Test at Wembley Stadium in London

“… but goal-line technology would have made it 2-2

today and given us the confidence and belief that we
could beat the Germans.”
(England player Steven Gerrard following the Germany v. England match, 27 June 2010, Daily Telegraph)
 1. Goal-line technology 7

the use of goal-line technology on 5 July 2012, providing the

newly established test criteria were met.

1.2 Challenges for the referee

The objective of goal-line technology is not to replace the
role of the officials, but rather to support them in their
decision-making due to the speed of the game and their
position on the field of play.

One of the challenges for referees is that the human eye

can handle only approximately 16 images per second, which
means the ball needs to be behind the line for at least 60
milliseconds. However, in some cases the ball is only behind
the line for a few milliseconds before a player kicks it back
or it rebounds back into the field of play, with the result
that the human eye cannot see whether the ball has crossed
the line. The ball can only be detected by the human eye at
a speed of 12km/h or less, whereas nowadays players are
able to shoot at a speed of over 120km/h (cf. “The hardest
recorded shot in football – ever”, 14 February 2007, The
Guardian).

Another challenge is the vantage point. When viewed from

certain angles, it is easy to misjudge the ball’s position.
Cameras placed at different angles can mislead viewers
when showing images “proving” whether or not the ball
has crossed the line, which is why only technology dedicated
to evaluating such incidents can support the referee in the
decision-making process and contribute to a fair game.

Figure 2: one situation, different perceptions

8 1. Goal-line technology
1.3 Developments since 2012
Since the introduction of goal-line technology in 2012, there
has been an update of the requirements manual (in 2014)
and the use of GLT in several hundred matches has shown
an improvement of the technology over time.
The most notable change was the stricter accuracy
requirement in the 2014 edition of the GLT Testing Manual,
which now requires any system to function to a maximum
margin of error of ±1.5cm (compared to ±3cm in the 2012
edition).
The latest tests from the English Premier League for the
2014-2015 season showed an average accuracy of ±3mm
across all stadiums, meaning that the values are well within
the IFAB requirements.
Awareness
78%
78% of respondents who were interested in
football were aware of goal-line technology
following the FIFA World Cup™.
Source: 2014 FIFA World Cup Post Event Research
Similar improvements were visible between the FIFA
Confederations Cup 2013 and the FIFA World Cup 2014™,
where the accuracy was also well within the requirements
following further development and more experience with
the systems in the Brazilian stadium environment.
In addition to the technical improvement, positive feedback
was received from several FIFA committees : Karl-Heinz
Rummenigge congratulated FIFA on behalf of the European
Club Association for the introduction of GLT during the
meeting of the Strategic Committee.
1.4 Laws of the Game
The IFAB Special Meeting at FIFA’s Zurich headquarters on
5 July 2012 certainly lived up to its name, as the so-called
Technology
95%
95% of those who were aware of GLT
agreed that goal-line technology should be
used for all elite football matches.
Source: 2014 FIFA World Cup Post Event Research
 1. Goal-line technology 9

“guardians of the game” finally gave the go-ahead for goal- Law 10 – The Method of Scoring
line technology to be written into the Laws of the Game. (Interpretation of the Laws of the Game)

1.4.1 Amendments to the Laws of the Game No goal

As a consequence of The IFAB’s decision in principle to (…)
approve the use of GLT, the following amendments to the
Laws of the Game were approved: Goal-line technology (GLT)
Principles of GLT
Law 10 – The Method of Scoring • GLT applies solely to the goal line and only to determine
whether a goal has been scored
Goal scored • The GLT system must be in accordance with the FIFA
(…) Quality Programme for Goal-Line Technology
• The indication of whether a goal has been scored must
Winning team be immediate and automatically confirmed within one
(…) second
• The indication of whether a goal has been scored will
Competition rules be communicated by the GLT system only to the match
(…) officials (via the referee’s watch, by vibration and visual
signal)
Goal-line technology (GLT)
GLT systems may be used for the purpose of verifying Requirements and specifications of GLT
whether a goal has been scored to support the referee’s If GLT is used in competition matches, the competition
decision. The use of GLT must be stipulated in the organisers must ensure that the system meets the
respective competition rules. requirements set out in the FIFA Quality Programme for
Goal-Line Technology Testing Manual. This manual must
be approved by the International Football Association
Board. An independent testing institute must verify the
accuracy and functionality of the different technology
providers’ systems according to the Testing Manual.

It’s a help. And I think it makes things better. If it is decided to

continue to use it I think it is good.
(Argentina player Lionel Messi, FIFA Ballon d’Or 2014 press conference, 12 January 2015)
10 1. Goal-line technology
Law 5 – The Referee
(Decisions of the International F.A. Board)
Decision 1
(…)
Decision 2
(…)
Decision 3
Where goal-line technology (GLT) is used (subject to the
respective competition rules), the referee has the duty
to test the technology’s functionality before the match.
The tests to be performed are set out in the FIFA Quality
Programme for Goal-Line Technology Testing Manual. If
the technology does not function in accordance with the
Testing Manual, the referee must not use the GLT system
and must report this incident to the respective authority.
In addition, the members approved the FIFA Quality
Programme for Goal-Line Technology and the associated
Testing Manual, laying down the licensing and certification
procedure for GLT. Furthermore, The IFAB approved
the following amendments so that GLT could be used
via installations on the field of play (i.e. goals) or inside
matchballs:
I think it is a fair solution. During the 2010 World Cup, I was there
when England scored a goal and the referee did not recognise it.
The referee will no longer harbour any doubts – in or out.
(Germany player Manuel Neuer, FIFA Ballon d’Or 2014 press conference, 12 January 2015)
Law 1 – The Field of Play
(Decisions of the International F.A. Board)
Decision 1
(…)
Decision 2
Where goal-line technology (GLT) is used, modifications
to the goal frame may be allowed. They must be in
accordance with the specifications stipulated in the
FIFA Quality Programme for Goal-Line Technology and
according to the above description, “Goals”.
Law 2 – The Ball
(Decisions of the International F.A. Board)
Decision 1
(…)
Decision 2
(…)
Decision 3
Where goal-line technology (GLT) is used, balls with
integrated technology are allowed, but they must
either be “FIFA APPROVED”, “FIFA INSPECTED” or
“INTERNATIONAL MATCHBALL STANDARD” (see
“Decision 1”).

1.5 FIFA Quality Programme
In addition to deciding on the principle of goal-line
technology, the Special Meeting of The IFAB in July 2012
finalised the four-step licensing and certification process for
all future GLT providers and the procedure for the final check
by the referee before each match.
Please note that steps one and two of the licensing and
certification process are the responsibility of the GLT
company. The competition organiser can only select a GLT
system that has been licensed by FIFA for its installations
and is therefore only involved in steps three and four of
this procedure.
In step one, the GLT provider has to meet various
application requirements and the test criteria of the GLT
system test as defined in the latest GLT Testing Manual.
If the application is successful, FIFA will issue a standard
licence agreement to the company in step two. In step
three, the GLT system is tested again on completion of the
installation. Based on the successful final installation test,
the competition organiser must accept and approve the
installation. After final approval of the submitted documents
by FIFA, the installation is awarded the FIFA Quality PRO seal
in step four of the licensing and certification process.
LICENSING PROCEDURE CERTIFICATION PROCESS
APPLICATION POSITIVE FIFA INSTALLATION
GLT SYSTEM LICENCE
TEST AGREEMENT
APPLICANT FIFA LICENSEE
Licensing procedure and certification process
1. Goal-line technology 11
1.5.1 Licensing procedure (steps 1 and 2)
Step 1a: application
Providers of GLT systems are invited to apply
for the FIFA licence. In order to guarantee a
high level of quality for the end user, GLT
providers must prove that they meet certain
requirements in terms of system production, business
management and social responsibility. These requirements are
defined in the application document on www.fifa.com/quality.
Step 1b: GLT system test
The GLT product must pass the GLT system test that is
carried out by a FIFA-accredited test institute. These intensive
tests are applied to the GLT system to assess its functionality,
accuracy and wear and tear in the laboratory, on the field
and in simulated real-game situations.
Step 2: FIFA licence
Following successful application and the GLT
system test, the provider will become a
licensee under the FIFA Quality Programme
for Goal-Line Technology upon signature by
both parties to the agreement. The provider is then
permitted to install its GLT system in any stadium worldwide
for use in official matches. The name of the GLT provider as
a licensee and the system will be publicly accessible on
www.fifa.com/quality.
POSITIVE FINAL ACCEPTANCE REGISTRATION
INSTALLATION OF THE ON FIFA.COM/
TEST INSTALLATION QUALITY
FIFA
12 1. Goal-line technology

1.5.2 Certification process (steps 3 and 4)

Step 3a: installation of the system

The FIFA licence authorises the GLT provider
to install the GLT system anywhere in the
world. The GLT provider must ensure that the
end user is properly informed about the
technology and how to operate and maintain the system
and provide each end user with a maintenance guide. It
must also provide the end user with a warranty of at least
two years for its GLT system.

Step 3b: final installation test

On completion of installation and in order to be allowed
to use the installed GLT system in official matches, each
individual GLT system must be tested again by a FIFA-
accredited test institute or a test institute that is certified
to ISO 17025 for goal-line technology tests. The final GLT
installation test is a modified version of the GLT system test,
the aim being to test the functionality of each GLT system
following installation.

Step 3c: acceptance of the installation

The installation and results of the final installation test
must be accepted by the GLT provider’s customer (e.g.
competition organiser, stadium owner, club, etc.) using
FIFA’s standard acceptance and acknowledgement form. The
signed document must then be submitted to FIFA for final
approval and sign-off.
Step 4: FIFA QUALITY certification
On final approval of the documents by FIFA,
the installation is awarded the FIFA QUALITY
seal and listed on www.fifa.com/quality. The
GLT system can now be used in official
matches/competitions for a period of 12 months and must
then be re-tested annually.
Goal equipped with goal-line technology at Yokohama
International Stadium.
1.5.3 Final check by the referee before each match
The IFAB have clarified the referee’s position in the Laws of
the Game (Law 5) by stating that match officials can use
the GLT system to support their decision provided they are
convinced of its functionality, for which appropriate tests
shall be carried out before the match.
The match officials are obliged to check the functionality of
the GLT system by means of specific tests before it is used
prior to each match. If the tests do not satisfy the referee

FIFA referee Peter O’Leary (NZL) performing the final check of the system.
(i.e. the technology fails one or more tests), he must decide
not to use the GLT system for the relevant match. Prior to
kick-off, the stadium operator, club, competition organiser
(as appropriate) or GLT provider must hand over the
matchballs and six referees’ watches to the match officials
for the final check and the decision on the use of the
installed GLT system.
The stadium operator must be informed immediately by the
referee once the decision has been made as to whether the
1. Goal-line technology 13
GLT system will be used or not in a match. Furthermore,
after the final whistle, the match officials are obliged to
inform the organiser of the competition if the GLT system
was used during the entire match and whether it functioned
properly or its use was rejected by the referee during the
match. Detailed information on this procedure can be found
in the Testing Manual 2014 on www.fifa.com/quality.
14 2. Implementation of goal-line technology

2. Implementation of
goal-line technology

Creating a comprehensive project plan is crucial to successful
implementation of GLT in a competition. All the parties
involved in the organisation of a competition in which
goal-line technology is to be used should therefore be
included in an initial meeting before a detailed project plan
can be developed by the relevant department. Based on
the experience of the FIFA tournaments, FIFA recommends
arranging a kick-off meeting as a starting point to discuss
the following points with the relevant people and making a
decision only after all the information has been gathered.
2.1 Pre-planning
concerning goal-line technology. After performing a cost-
benefit analysis for this project, it is recommended that the
organiser discusses and answers basic questions on the
implementation of GLT for the competition in question.
These will help determine the required resources including
staff that will be needed before and during the competition.
After deciding on the combination of these different options
(many different permutations are possible), a legal basis
must be established for the use of goal-line technology. As
defined in the Laws of the Game, the use of GLT must be
stipulated in the respective competition rules (Law 10 – The
Method of Scoring).

As a first step, the competition organiser should discuss It is also essential that a budget is allocated not only for the
the needs and opinions of the competition members installation of the technology but also for the running costs

OPTION 1 OPTION 2 OPTION 3 OPTION 4

General Allow GLT use Do not allow GLT use
System All stadiums must have All stadiums must have Stadiums may use a Stadiums may use a
the same system the same system system. If they do, it system and are free to
must be the same. select it
Ownership / finance System is purchased by System is financed System is leased/ Ownership is irrelevant
stadium owner (lease/purchase) by purchased by the club as long as there is a
competition organiser system in place
Maintenance Centrally organised Individual organised Supervised by the
and administered by for each installation competition organiser
competition organiser
Application in All competition GLT need not be used Individual schedule
competiton matches to use GLT in all games (possible depending on specifics
introduction during of competition
competition)
Replays of goal-line No replays allowed Replays accepted only Replays only accepted Replays accepted on
incidents on TV on LED screens in the TV and LED screens in
stadium the stadium

Figure 3: initial questions to be answered by the competition organiser


of the system once installed. This cost calculation should be
based on market information and include the following as a
minimum:
Figure 4: cost calculation
1. Site inspection with GLT provider(s)
2. Selected GLT system (rent/purchase)
3. Installation of system (temporary/permanent installation)
4. Final installation test by an independent test institute
5. Travel and accommodation
6. Personnel costs (dedicated staff)
7. Education of referees (regular training sessions)
8. Operation by GLT provider during competition
9. Maintenance of GLT system by GLT provider
10. Annual testing of GLT system by independent test institute
11. Other costs (depending on the type of competition)
12. Development of replays (if applicable)
The above-mentioned points should be discussed in an
initial meeting with all involved parties and result in a
comprehensive project plan including a timetable, action
points and responsibilities. The final version of this document
will represent the guideline for the implementation of goal-
line technology in the competition. It should be available
for all involved parties and regularly updated by the relevant
person/department.
Figure 5: stakeholders in GLT
1. Department in charge of organising and running the
competition
2. Proposed overall project manager
3. Refereeing department
4. Legal department for regulations and contracts
5. Finance department in charge of budgets
6. TV/Broadcasting department regarding replays
(if applicable)
7. Media department
2. Implementation of goal-line technology 15
FIFA competitions: pre-planning
FIFA normally starts the preparation phase for GLT at least
six months before a small tournament (16 matches or less)
and up to 12 months ahead of a major tournament. All
stakeholders of the competition who would be affected
by goal-line technology are involved in the implementation
process and receive regular updates. A project plan is
developed with clear action points, a timetable and
dedicated responsibilities.
Figure 6: pre-planning checklist
 Identify the needs and requirements of the competition
stakeholders regarding GLT
 Draft a cost calculation and identify the necessary
budget
 Create the project plan with action points, timetable
and responsibilities
2.2 Bidding procedure
In order to obtain the desired quality and service at the best
price, a tender process is highly recommended. The more
detailed the tender document and the earlier it is made
available, the higher the likelihood of shorter negotiations
and avoiding unnecessarily high logistics costs. Such details
may include required insurance policies, restrictions on
working in stadiums, customs and import duties or power
supply in the stadiums. By being aware of the existing GLT
technologies on the market and their requirements (stadium,
infrastructure, matchballs, goals and general logistics), the
competition organiser can pre-empt many issues when
drafting the tender document.
16 2. Implementation of goal-line technology

Figure 7: content of tender for goal-line technology

1. Project overview
––Objectives of the implementation
––Competition stadiums (technical drawings)
––Time frame for installation and tests
2. Project requirements
––Terms and conditions of tournament organiser
––Technical requirements for the GLT system
––Duration of the provision
––Details of competition venues
3. Service requirements
––Provision of the GLT system
––Shipment of the GLT system
––Installation and dismantling (if applicable) of the GLT
Hawk-Eye camera
system
––Operation of the GLT system
––Maintenance and storage of the GLT system
all eventualities. Skipping this step may lead to additional
––Provision of replays to be broadcast (if applicable)
unforeseen problems, which may in turn produce added
––Project management and staffing during the entire
costs or delays.
process
4. Detailed information on the tender procedure
Figure 8: recommended agenda of site inspection
––Date for submission of offers
1. Explanation of GLT system to stadium management by
––Form of tender (language, structure, content) GLT provider
––Costs which have to be included in the bid (including 2. Identification of necessary works and agreement on
taxes, customs etc.) feasibility

––Dates for potential visits or site inspections
––Schedule of the tender process
5. Installation and operational requirements of the GLT
provider
6. Legal basis for the tender
3. Agreement on installation details (timeline, access
requirements, working requirements)
4. Agreement on lines of communication between
competition organiser, GLT provider and stadium
management
5. Minutes of all the agreed points

Following the site inspection, the GLT provider should

It is strongly recommended to have the GLT provider(s) amend its offer to incorporate any changes relating to the
visit the sites before concluding any agreement in order to infrastructure and submit a final and binding offer to the
ensure that a) the technology can be installed at all the given competition organiser. This document should be the basis
stadiums and b) that the submitted costs do in fact cover for decision and the agreement to be signed by both parties.

GoalControl camera and view of control room
FIFA Confederations Cup 2013: bidding procedure
FIFA launched a tender process for the delivery of the
FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 at the beginning of 2013.
All four licensed providers were invited to submit initial
proposals based on the requirements set by FIFA and the
Local Organising Committee (LOC). A site inspection tour
of the six venues took place in March 2013, after which all
participating providers had one week to amend and finalise
their offer including cost, project plans and timelines for
installation. It is worth noting that some stadiums were
under construction, which led to uncertainties in terms
of timelines or processes. In such cases, it is important to
determine who is responsible for such changes.
Figure 9: bidding procedure checklist
 Consult www.fifa.com/quality for all licensed providers
and obtain a basic understanding of the providers’
systems
 Gather detailed information about the competition
stadiums/matchballs and any other relevant details
 Draft and issue a tender document with all available
information
 Organise a site inspection tour with the participating
companies
 Compare the submitted bids and final installation
documents
 Make a decision based on the individual needs of the
competition organiser
2. Implementation of goal-line technology 17
2.3 Concluding a contract
After the GLT provider has been selected, an agreement
must be drafted for the provision and installation of the GLT
system and related services, such as the operation of the GLT
system (if applicable). It is recommended that the following
points are part of the agreement. By including non-sensitive
information in the tender document, lengthy negotiations
can be pre-empted at this point of the process:
Figure 10: project agreement – consideration of
legal points
1. Appointment of contractor
2. Fees
3. Provision, delivery and operation of GLT system
4. Quality of GLT system (essentially, each GLT installation
must pass the final installation test)
5. Intellectual property rights
6. Use of the competition organiser’s trademark
7. Warranties and representations
8. Confidentiality
9. Termination
10. Liability
11. Insurance
12. Security
18 2. Implementation of goal-line technology
GoalRef installation
FIFA Confederations Cup 2013: concluding a contract
The project agreement signed by FIFA and GoalControl
was based on the proposal submitted by the provider. The
agreement covered all foreseeable costs and was concluded
before the beginning of the installation period in April 2013.
With responsibilities for both sides thus contractually agreed,
both sides were aware of the required services and timelines.
Figure 11: checklist for concluding a contract
 Draft an agreement that reflects the terms agreed with
the GLT provider
 Discuss legal aspects that are important from an
internal perspective in detail (please see above)
 Consider worst-case scenarios when drafting the
agreement
2.4 Installation period
One of the most sensitive points during this
phase of the project is determining a joint
schedule for the installation and final test of
the goal-line technology systems. All parties
in this process (competition organiser, GLT provider, stadium
management) should therefore agree on the dates when the
company will be allowed access to the stadium(s) to install
its system(s), especially those dates when it is allowed to
enter the field of play.
Please note that GLT providers calibrate and test their
systems during daylight and using floodlights. If special
permission is required to use floodlights at the stadium
on non-matchdays, it should be provided from the
beginning of the installation period.
The following points should be completed before the
relevant GLT provider arrives at the stadium concerned for
the installation of its system:
Figure 12: clarification before arrival of the GLT provider
at the stadium
1. Determine a joint schedule for access to the stadium
and the field of play
2. Prepare accreditation for the GLT provider (if needed)
3. Provide a list of stadium management contacts with
telephone numbers
4. Clarify details of shipment receipt, storage and logistics
on site
5. Ensure the agreed requirements have been fulfilled by
all three parties
6. D
 efine dates when the GLT provider can speak to local
experts about technical matters (e.g. cabling, camera
installations, power supply, set-up of LED boards, etc.)
It is essential that stadium management works closely with
the goal-line technology provider, with regular updates
during the installation period. If there are language
differences, it is recommended to have an interpreter on site
for the update meetings or special requests.
 2. Implementation of goal-line technology 19

GoalRef antenna behind the goal

FIFA Club World Cup 2012: installation period

Between October and November 2012, the GLT providers
began the installation of their systems in the two stadiums
used for the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan. In close
cooperation with the Japan Football Association (JFA),
the Local Organising Committee and the local stadium
management, Hawk-Eye installed its system in the
Toyota Stadium (15 October – 28 November) and GoalRef
in the Yokohama International Stadium (19 November
– 2 December).

Figure 13: installation period checklist

 Determine a schedule for access to the stadium and

the field of play

 Ask for special permission to use floodlights on

non-matchdays (if needed)

 Prepare the competition stadiums (stadium

management) for the installation period

 Monitor the progress of the installation and update the

project plan
Hawk-Eye control room
20 2. Implementation of goal-line technology
2.5 Final installation test and
acceptance of the installation
As stated in the Laws of the Game (cf. 1.2.2),
a final installation test must be performed
before the referee can use the system in a
competition. The final installation of a GLT
system has to pass the requirements which are defined in
the latest edition of the testing manual (www.fifa.com/
quality) and meet the approval of the competition organiser
before it can be certified by FIFA. For this procedure, the GLT
provider will hand over the FIFA acceptance and
acknowledgement form to the competition organiser for the
appropriate signature. The results of the final test should be
Final installation test – goalkeeper test
made available by the test institute to the competition
organiser before approval of the installation.
Please note that only positive test results of the final
installation test can be approved by the competition
organiser.
A list of accredited test institutes for final installation tests is
available on www.fifa.com/quality. Should the competition
organiser wish to use a different (for example local) test
institute, a comprehensive training and accreditation session
can be organised (at the cost of the test institute to be
accredited). Such procedures may, however, take some time
and should therefore be notified to FIFA well in advance.

On approval by the competition organiser, the
document is submitted by the GLT provider
to FIFA for a final check of the documents
and certification of the installation. Finally, the
stadium with the certified installation will appear on FIFA’s
website www.fifa.com/quality. Only then may the GLT
installation be used in official matches for a period of
12 months in the stadium in question.
2014 FIFA World Cup™: final installation test and
acceptance of the installation
All 12 stadiums of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ had to be
tested prior to the tournament. Following a tender process
with all of the accredited test institutes, FIFA appointed
Labosport Ltd to test the competition stadiums. Due to
the additional logistics of certain stadiums being under
construction, a decision was made to test the stadiums
that had been used earlier at the FIFA Confederations Cup
Final installation test – dropping a plumb to define the goal line
2. Implementation of goal-line technology 21
(March 2014) and the newly-built venues for the FIFA World
Cup™ closer to the tournament (May 2014). Following this,
all venues were certified for the tournament period starting
in June 2014.
Figure 14: checklist for final installation test and
acceptance of the installation
 Select an independent test institute for the final
installation test (contract needed)
 Agree on a schedule for the final installation tests
with the test institute, GLT provider and stadium
management
 Prepare the competition stadiums (stadium
management) for the final test
 Approve the final installation based on positive test
results
 Submit the signed FIFA acceptance and
acknowledgement form to the GLT provider
 Check whether the installation appears on FIFA.com
before the start of the competition
22 2. Implementation of goal-line technology

Figure 15: FIFA acceptance and acknowledgement form


2.6 Training of referees
It is essential that referees who are not familiar with goal-
line technology systems experience the system before using
it during a match. FIFA recommends having a dedicated
training session comprising theoretical and practical sessions
on the pitch at one of the venues where the system is
installed in order to get a feel for the system first hand.
2014 FIFA World Cup™: education of referees
To ensure that all match officials were comfortable with the
new technology and to explain the new procedure in more
detail, all referee teams took part in a GLT training session
Goal-line technology training session
2. Implementation of goal-line technology 23
Figure 16: training session on goal-line technology
1. Explain why goal-line technology supports referees
(vantage points!)
2. Present the installed GLT system
3. Demonstrate the accuracy of the system
4. Explain the referee’s watch in detail
5. Hand over a referee checklist for the obligatory referee
check
6. Provide training in the referee check for all participating
referees
7. Explain the procedure should the watch malfunction
during a match
8. Ask for feedback on the functionality of the GLT system
after each match
9. Questions and answers after the training session
24 2. Implementation of goal-line technology

at the Maracanã Stadium a few days before the first match

kicked off. The general functionality and accuracy of the
systems and in particular the mandatory referee check were
important parts of this training.

Figure 17: checklist for education of referees

 Organise referee training sessions before the use of
goal-line technology
 Distribute a referee checklist to all referees in the
competition
 Define a procedure in case the GLT system
malfunctions during a match
 Analyse the referees’ feedback on goal-line technology
(information stream)

2.7 Competitions
For the integration of goal-line technology in the match
procedure, it is essential to work closely with the people who
are responsible for the tournament organisation. Depending
on the type of competition and matchday operations during
the competition, different aspects come into play. For the

“It was important that we had

the training session before
the tournament to show the
referees the accuracy of the
system and that they could rely
on the new technology.”
(FIFA Head of Refereeing Massimo Busacca,
16 December 2012) Goal-line technology training session
 2. Implementation of goal-line technology 25

Figure 18: official match report: match no. 10 – referee feedback on goal-line technology check
26 2. Implementation of goal-line technology
FIFA tournaments at which GLT had been deployed so far,
the FIFA Competitions Department, the FIFA Refereeing
Department and the broadcaster were involved and the
following challenges were discussed:
Figure 19: touchpoints with the tournament organisation
1. Inform the participating teams in advance on the use
of goal-line technology
2. Provide teams with the modified balls in advance for
training purposes (only if GLT is inside the ball)
3. Determine a match countdown for goal-line
technology as well as communication channels on
matchdays
4. Double-check the delivery of replays of goal-line
incidents to the competition broadcaster (if any
visualisation of replays is desired)
5. Include the GLT match countdown in the overall match
countdown
6. Carry out a functionality test of the GLT system before
the match starts (three to five hours before kick-off)
7. Hand over the referees’ watches, matchballs and
referee checklist to the referee team when they arrive
at the stadium
8. Wait for the green light by the referees after the
referee check
9. Stay in contact with the fourth official during the
match in case of any problems with the system
10. Receive the referees’ watches and feedback after the
match
11. Return the referees’ watches to the GLT provider
12. Obtain feedback from the GLT provider about the
performance of the system during the match
The adopted match countdown should include the
procedure for the referee check, which was defined in
the GLT Testing Manual 2014 (p. 44) and approved by
The IFAB. The check by the referee team can be carried
out earlier than proposed in the GLT Testing Manual, but the
information on the use of GLT from the referee team should
be submitted to the competition organiser no later than 45
minutes before kick-off.
COUNTDOWN MATCH 2
FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2012
10.00 Team meeting GLT staff
10.30 Meeting with GLT provider
11.00 Functionality test on both goals by competition
organiser
14.15 Arrival of referee at the stadium
14.15 Handover of official matchballs and referees’
watches to referee team
14.20 Checks by the referee team
14.30 Information from referee team to competition
organiser (use or not to use)
16.00 Kick-off of MATCH 2
17.45 Final whistle of MATCH 2
18.45 Return of referees’ watches to GLT provider
19.00 Feedback by referee team to competition
organiser
19.45 Feedback by GLT provider to competition
organiser
Figure 20: example from the FIFA Club World Cup Japan
2012
2014 FIFA World Cup™: competition
FIFA has a General Coordinator for its tournaments, who
is in charge of all competition matters at the venue. It was
therefore important to first and foremost inform the General
Coordinator of the requirements and procedures relating to
goal-line technology. At the FIFA World Cup™, FIFA also had
a GLT manager on site to coordinate all matters relating to
the implementation of goal-line technology. This included
providing the match officials with the watches, assisting with

the pre-match checks and acting as a liaison between the
broadcaster and the General Coordinator in the event of any
issues. During all 64 matches, the system worked well and
there were no operational issues.
Figure 21: checklist for implementation in the competition
 Draft a GLT match countdown
 Carry out a functionality test of the GLT system before
each match
 Hand over the referees’ watches, matchballs and
referee checklist to referees
 Monitor the referee check before the match
 Monitor the performance of the GLT system during the
match
 Return the referees’ watches to the GLT provider
 Analyse feedback from the GLT provider and referee
team
2.8 Replays of GLT incidents
In addition to the use of GLT as a tool for the referee,
there has been increased demand to use the information
generated by the system to provide visual confirmation of a
“When the ball went into the goal, we couldn’t
be sure that it had in fact gone in. But my watch
beeped. At that moment, we were not only
creating history but also corroborating the result
of the match. It was great to be part of it.”
(FIFA referee Sandro Ricci (BRA) on the France v. Honduras FIFA World Cup™ match,
15 June 2014)
2. Implementation of goal-line technology 27
goal-line incident for spectators. As in other sports, this can
be done through replays and/or animations of the particular
scene in question.
The fundamental decision regarding whether or not to use
or allow replays rests solely with the competition organiser.
Replays are not part of the GLT system and as such not
compulsory when using such a technological aid. Should
the tournament organiser allow replays to be shown,
several aspects must be considered:
Figure 22: checklist for GLT replays
 Include the competition organiser, the broadcaster and
the GLT provider in the process
 Clearly define the technical set-up including the
requirements for the GLT provider, the broadcaster, the
interfaces and the communication channels
 Agree on the design of the replays (real image,
animation, sequences, etc.) and who will bear the
production costs
 Clarify compatibility with broadcasting laws (especially
in relation to commercial content or sponsorship)
 Decide on when and where replays are to be shown
(TV feed, stadium screens, etc.)
28 2. Implementation of goal-line technology

2.9 Use of GLT in competitions

2012-2014
By the time the 2014 World Cup kicked off, goal-line
technology had been used in more than 550 competitive
matches. FIFA has made use of goal-line technology in four
of its tournaments to date (FIFA Club World Cup 2012, FIFA
Confederations Cup 2013, FIFA Club World Cup 2013 and
2014 FIFA World Cup™); in England, the so-called “goal
decision system” has been in use in the Premier League, cup
competitions and play-off matches as well as in international
matches involving the England team played at Wembley
Stadium. GLT has also been used in the Netherlands in the
Eredivisie and cup matches as part of a refereeing project
in the 2013-2014 season and during a youth tournament
(Copa Amsterdam) in 2013. Below is a summary of the
providers and the number of incidents. GLT incident during the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ –
match 10: France v. Honduras
In the 2012-2014 period, the GLT system was called into
action in more than 5% of the matches in which it was systems have been able to demonstrate to the wider public
used, or one incident per two matchdays in a standard by means of replays that the correct call was made in close
league. Besides being a vital support to the referee, the decisions.

Tournament Country Provider GLT uses

FIFA Club World Cup 2012 Japan Hawk-Eye & GoalRef No incidents
FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 Brazil GoalControl No incidents
FIFA Club World Cup 2013 Morocco GoalControl 1 incident
2014 FIFA World Cup™ Brazil GoalControl 3 decisive incidents,
10 replays shown
English Premier League 2013-14 England Hawk-Eye 21 incidents
English cups 2013-14 England Hawk-Eye 1 incident
International matches 2013-14 England Hawk-Eye No incidents
Eredivisie 2013-14 Netherlands Hawk-Eye 1 incident
Copa Amsterdam 2013 Netherlands GoalRef No incidents

Figure 22: Use of goal-line technology in competitive matches 2012-2014

 2. Implementation of goal-line technology 29

GLT incident during the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ – match 24: Italy v. Costa Rica

My colleagues and I received the information

from the watch almost immediately, so we
had no doubt in allowing the goal, which did
not produce any kind of controversies and
complaints from the players. I think the use
of GLT is helpful for our work and has helped
us a lot to make the right decision in a very
complex and crucial situation.
(FIFA referee Enrique Osses (CHL) on the Italy v. Costa Rica FIFA World Cup™ match,
20 June 2014)
30 3. Questions and answers
3. Questions and answers
3.1 Use of GLT in leagues and
competitions
Must a system be used for a whole season, or can it
be utilised as soon as it is installed?
This is entirely up to the competition organiser and one
of the first things to define when integrating goal-line
technology into a competition.
UEFA have chosen to use additional assistant referees
(AARs) in some of their competitions. Isn’t that easier,
more “human” and cheaper?
The IFAB has approved GLT and AARs, and it is up to
the respective confederations, member associations and
competition organisers to decide. For FIFA, based on
feedback from the test institutes, we understand that
for the critical situations when the ball is a fraction of a
centimetre behind the goal line, the human eye is not able
to clearly detect whether a goal has been scored or not.
Therefore, FIFA believes that GLT is the best possible support
for the referee, which is critical. That said, it is up to the
competition organiser to decide whether or not to use AARs
or not, whether in combination with GLT or otherwise.
How much does it cost to use GLT per stadium/
match?
There are many licensees, all of whom meet the
requirements set forth by The IFAB, that currently offer GLT
systems and therefore price their products in accordance
with normal economic mechanisms. Furthermore, there are
many factors that may have a significant influence on the
offers negotiated with the competition organisers:
- Type of competition (league or cup)
- Number of competition stadiums and matches played
- Complexity of installation, depending on the infrastructure
- Type of technology (camera-based v. magnetic field-based)
- Local fees/taxes/transportation costs
3.2 Refereeing
Does the referee have to use the technology?
As defined by The IFAB in the Laws of the Game, the referee
can use the technology provided he or she is convinced of its
functionality, for which appropriate tests shall be carried out
before the match. However, the referee can disregard the
information provided by the watch during a match, if he or
she is certain the watch/system isn’t working properly.
How can a referee check the functionality of the GLT
system?
The referee and his or her team are obliged to check the
functionality of the technology before each match by
applying the referee check. If the referee check does not
satisfy the referee (i.e. the technology fails one or more tests),
the referee must reject the use of the GLT system for the
relevant match. The decision must be made no later than 45
minutes before kick-off. In such cases, the organiser of the
competition must be informed accordingly of the decision.
How does the referee receive the information?
The indication of whether a goal has been scored is
immediately and automatically confirmed within one second to
the referee’s watch by means of vibration and a visual signal.
This watch is used specifically as an aid for judging whether
the ball has fully crossed the line and is worn in addition to the
watch used by the referee to control the timing of the match.
What happens if a system malfunctions during the
game? What do officials do then?
The technical requirements of FIFA’s Quality Programme
for Goal-Line Technology are very strict. The GLT should
work properly during each match. Should there be a failure
of the relevant GLT system, the referee should report this
immediately to the appropriate authority, who in turn should
inform all relevant parties including the teams.

GLT incident during the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ – match 62: Netherlands v. Argentina
3.3 Licensing and certification
How good are GLT systems licensed under the FIFA
Quality Programme for Goal-Line Technology?
All officially licensed GLT systems are subjected to a strict
regime of tests. The GLT system test comprises an extensive
test on the field, in training sessions and in the laboratory.
Furthermore, after a prototype has passed the GLT system
test, every installation is subject to another set of tests, the
final installation test, which ensures that the installation
concerned meets the same quality requirements for which
it was tested under the GLT system test. Thus before being
used during a given match, the installed system has been
tested in hundreds of situations and scenarios to ensure that
it works in all conditions.
How soon can other companies be tested/potentially
come onto the market?
Any provider of goal-line technology systems can apply for
the FIFA licence. One of the crucial application criteria is
to pass the GLT system test that is carried out by a FIFA-
accredited test institute (currently EMPA) and that takes
3. Questions and answers 31
around four months. It does not matter which technology
the system is based on (e.g. camera-based as opposed to
technology in the ball) as long as the test criteria of the GLT
system test, which are defined in the GLT Testing Manual
2014, are passed. Detailed information about the application
process and requirements can be found on
www.fifa.com/quality.
Technology develops quickly. Will companies have to
submit to re-testing if their systems change?
As soon as any significant changes to the GLT system have
been made, the entire system has to be re-tested. The GLT
licensee must inform FIFA immediately about any changes
to its licensed GLT system before installation. FIFA reserves
the right to decide, at its sole discretion, whether the entire
GLT system or certain elements of it should undergo the GLT
system test once again.
How long is a licence/certification valid?
The FIFA licensing agreement with the GLT licensee is valid
for two years and can be renewed after this period, whereas
the GLT installation has to be re-tested every year. It is
32 3. Questions and answers
important to understand that the certification period of
a GLT installation is separate from the licensing period
of a GLT provider, i.e. the certification term of a GLT
installation may be valid beyond the term of the licence
agreement between FIFA and the GLT licensee. In this
regard, the GLT licensee or its customer can request a
re-test of the GLT installation in a stadium.
How often do the systems need maintaining and by
whom?
The maintenance frequency of a GLT system in a football
stadium depends on the technology. It is an obligation of
the provider of goal-line technology systems to provide a
detailed maintenance guide and appropriate maintenance
equipment and to carry out a maintenance training
session for its customer/stadium operator. Another option
is for the entire maintenance process to be carried out
by the GLT provider on a regular basis. This must be
stipulated in the agreement between the GLT provider
and its customer.
How many test institutes are accredited?
Due to the expansion of GLT and its increasing
demand among tournament organisers, there are now
four independent test institutes that have obtained
accreditation to conduct the final installation tests.
3.4 Replays on TV and on LED
screens in the stadium
Is it permitted to show replays on TV or in the stadium?
Yes, it is permitted, but the decision of whether or not
to allow it rests with the competition organiser. The
question of whether and how replays are shown on TV or
on an LED screen in a stadium should be one of the first
discussion points when starting the implementation of
goal-line technology in a competition. FIFA recommends
involving referees in this discussion as well, due to the
fact that the main objective of GLT is to support and
protect the referee.
President: Joseph S. Blatter
Secretary General: Jérôme Valcke
Address: Fédération Internationale de Football Association
FIFA-Strasse 20
P.O. Box
8044 Zurich
Switzerland
Tel.: +41 (0)43 222 7777
Fax: +41 (0)43 222 7878
Internet: FIFA.com

Goal-line technology
Concept: FIFA
Photos: Getty Images, Action Images
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
FIFA-Strasse 
20 P.O. 
Box 8044  Zurich Switzerland
T: +41 (0)43 222 7777 F: +41 (0)43 222 7907 FIFA.com